This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A387/A387M − 17a
Used in USDOE-NE Standards
Standard Specification for
Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, ChromiumMolybdenum1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A387/A387M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with this specification.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1. Scope*
2
1.1 This specification covers chromium-molybdenum alloy
steel plates intended primarily for welded boilers and pressure
vessels designed for elevated temperature service.
1.2 Plates are available under this specification in several
grades having different alloy contents as follows:
Grade
2
12
11
22
21
5
9
91
Nominal
Chromium
Content, %
0.50
1.00
1.25
2.25
3.00
5.00
9.00
9.00
Nominal
Molybdenum
Content, %
0.50
0.50
0.50
1.00
1.00
0.50
1.00
1.00
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:3
A20/A20M Specification for General Requirements for Steel
Plates for Pressure Vessels
A370 Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
of Steel Products
A435/A435M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
Examination of Steel Plates
A577/A577M Specification for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination of Steel Plates
A578/A578M Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
A1017/A1017M Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates,
Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum-Tungsten
2.2 AWS Specifications:4
A5.5/A5.5M Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal
Arc Welding
A5.23/A5.23M Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Fluxes for
Submerged Arc Welding
A5.28/A5.28M Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes and Rods for
Gas Shielded Arc Welding
1.3 Each grade except Grade 91 is available in two classes
of tensile strength levels as defined in the Tensile Requirements
tables. Grade 91 is available only as Class 2. Grade 91 consists
of two types, with Type 2 differentiated from Type 1 by
requiring restricted composition for the enhancement of creep
resistance.
NOTE 1—Grade 911, previously covered by this specification, is now
covered by Specification A1017/A1017M.
1.4 The maximum thickness of plates is limited only by the
capacity of the composition to meet the specified mechanical
property requirements.
1.5 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the
SI units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each
system are not exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
A01.11 on Steel Plates for Boilers and Pressure Vessels.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as A387/A387M – 17.
DOI: 10.1520/A0387_A0387M-17A.
2
For ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code applications, see related Specification SA-387/SA-387M in Section II of that Code.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
4
Available from American Welding Society (AWS), 550 NW LeJeune Rd.,
Miami, FL 33126, http://www.aws.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
A387/A387M − 17a
6. Chemical Requirements
A5.29/A5.29M Low-Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored
Arc Welding
6.1 The steel shall conform to the requirements as to
chemical composition shown in Table 1 unless otherwise
modified in accordance with Supplementary Requirement S17,
Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel, in Specification A20/A20M
for grades other than Grade 11.
3. General Requirements and Ordering Information
3.1 Material supplied to this material specification shall
conform to Specification A20/A20M. These requirements outline the testing and retesting methods and procedures, permissible variations in dimensions and weight, quality and repair of
defects, marking, loading, and ordering information.
7. Metallurgical Structure
7.1 Austenitic Grain Size—Grade 2 material shall have a
coarse austenitic grain size.
3.2 In addition to the basic requirements of this
specification, certain supplementary requirements are available
when additional control, testing, or examination is required to
meet end use requirements. The purchaser is referred to the
listed supplementary requirements in this specification and to
the detailed requirements in Specification A20/A20M.
8. Mechanical Requirements
8.1 Tension Test Requirements:
8.1.1 The material as represented by the tension test specimens shall conform to the applicable requirements of Table 2
or Table 3, as specified on the order.
8.1.2 Adjustment of the percentage elongation requirements
is permitted in accordance with Specification A20/A20M for
plates up to 3⁄4 in. [20 mm] inclusive, in thickness when an 8-in.
[200-mm] gage length is used.
3.3 If the requirements of this specification are in conflict
with the requirements of Specification A20/A20M, the requirements of this specification shall prevail.
4. Manufacture
4.1 Steelmaking Practice—The steel shall be killed.
9. Repair Welding
5. Heat Treatment
9.1 Repair welding shall be permitted only with the approval of the purchaser. Repair welds shall meet the requirements of the construction code specified by the purchaser.
5.1 Except for Grade 91, all plates shall be thermally treated
either by annealing, normalizing and tempering, or, when
permitted by the purchaser, accelerated cooling from the
austenitizing temperature by air blasting or liquid quenching,
followed by tempering. Minimum tempering temperatures
shall be as follows:
Grade
2, 12, and 11
22, 21, and 9
5
9.2 All repair welds in Grade 91 shall be made with one of
the following welding processes and consumables: SMAW,
A5.5/A5.5M E90XX-B9; SAW, A5.23/A5.23M EB9 + neutral
flux; GTAW, A5.28/A5.28M ER90S-B9; and FCAW A5.29/
A5.29M E91T1-B9. In addition, the sum of the Ni+Mn content
of all welding consumables used to weld repair Grade 91 plate
shall not exceed 1.0 %.
Temperature, °F [°C]
1150 [620]
1250 [675]
1300 [705]
5.1.1 Grade 91 plates shall be thermally treated, either by
normalizing and tempering or by accelerated cooling from the
austenitizing temperature by air blasting or liquid quenching,
followed by tempering. Grade 91 plates shall be austenitized at
1900 to 1975°F [1040 to 1080°C] and shall be tempered at
1350 to 1470°F [730 to 800°C].
10. Marking
10.1 In addition to the marking required in Specification
A20/A20M, each plate shall be legibly stamped or stenciled,
depending upon the ordered thickness, with the letter A for
annealed, N for normalized and tempered, and Q for accelerated cooled and tempered, as applicable. Grade 91 plates shall
be marked with the appropriate type. Plates ordered to, and
conforming to, Type 2 may be marked Type 1 as well.
5.2 Grade 5, 9, 21, 22, and 91 plates ordered without the
heat treatment required by 5.1 shall be furnished in either the
stress relieved or the annealed condition.
11. Keywords
5.3 For plates ordered without the heat treatment required
by 5.1, heat treatment of the plates to conform to 5.1 and to
Table 2 or Table 3, as applicable, shall be the responsibility of
the purchaser.
11.1 alloy steel; alloy steel plate; creep resistance; elevated
temperature; pressure containing parts; pressure vessel steels;
steel plates; steel plates for pressure vessels
2
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.80–1.15
0.74–1.21
0.50–0.80
0.46–0.85
...
...
0.15–0.40
0.13–0.45
0.15–0.40
0.13–0.45
...
...
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
...
...
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.45–0.60
0.40–0.65
0.40–0.65
0.35–0.73
0.55–0.80
0.50–0.88
0.45–0.60
0.40–0.65
0.05–0.17
0.04–0.17
Grade 12
K11757
0.05–0.21
0.04–0.21
Grade 2
S50460
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.45–0.65
0.40–0.70
1.00–1.50
0.94–1.56
0.50–0.80
0.44–0.86
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.40–0.65
0.35–0.73
0.05–0.17
0.04–0.17
Grade 11
K11789
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.90–1.10
0.85–1.15
2.00–2.50
1.88–2.62
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.30–0.60
0.25–0.66
0.05–0.15A
0.04–0.15A
Grade 22
K21590
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.90–1.10
0.85–1.15
2.75–3.25
2.63–3.37
0.50 max
0.50 max
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.30–0.60
0.25–0.66
0.05–0.15A
0.04–0.15A
Grade 21
K31545
Composition, %
Grade and UNS Number
B
The carbon content for plates over 5 in. [125 mm] in thickness is 0.17 max on product analysis.
Columbium and niobium are interchangeable names for the same element and both names are acceptable for use in A01 specifications.
C
Applies to both heat and product analysis.
A
Carbon:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Manganese:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Phosphorus, max:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Sulfur, max:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Silicon:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Chromium:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Molybdenum:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Nickel, max:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Vanadium:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Columbium (niobium):B
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Boron, maxC
Nitrogen:
Heat analysis
Product analysis
Nitrogen/aluminum
Aluminum, maxC
Titanium, maxC
Zirconium, maxC
Tungsten, maxC
Copper, maxC
Antimony, maxC
Arsenic, maxC
Tin, maxC
Element
NOTE 1—Where “. . .” appears, there is no requirement.
TABLE 1 Chemical Requirements
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.45–0.65
0.40–0.70
4.00–6.00
3.90–6.10
0.50 max
0.55 max
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.30–0.60
0.25–0.66
0.15 max
0.15 max
Grade 5
S50200
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.04 max
0.05 max
...
...
0.90–1.10
0.85–1.15
8.00–10.00
7.90–10.10
1.00 max
1.05 max
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.30–0.60
0.25–0.66
0.15 max
0.15 max
Grade 9
K90941
0.030–0.070
0.025–0.080
...
0.02
0.01
0.01
...
...
...
...
...
0.06–0.10
0.05–0.11
...
0.18–0.25
0.16–0.27
0.40
0.43
0.85–1.05
0.80–1.10
8.00–9.50
7.90–9.60
0.20–0.50
0.18–0.56
0.010
0.012
0.020
0.025
0.30–0.60
0.25–0.66
0.08–0.12
0.06–0.15
Grade 91
Type 1
K90901
0.035–0.070
0.035–0.070
$4.0
0.020
0.01
0.01
0.05
0.10
0.003
0.010
0.010
0.06–0.10
0.05–0.11
0.001
0.18–0.25
0.16–0.27
0.20
0.20
0.85–1.05
0.80–1.05
8.0–9.50
8.0–9.50
0.20–0.40
0.20–0.40
0.005
0.005
0.020
0.020
0.30–0.50
0.30–0.50
0.08–0.12
0.06–0.15
Grade 91
Type 2
K90901
A387/A387M − 17a
A387/A387M − 17a
TABLE 2 Tensile Requirements for Class 1 Plates
Tensile strength, ksi [MPa]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa]
Elongation in 8 in. [200 mm], min, %A
Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], min, %A
Reduction of area, min, %
Grades 2 and 12
Grade 11
Grades 22, 21, 5, 9
55 to 80 [380 to 550]
33 [230]
18
22
...
60 to 85 [415 to 585]
35 [240]
19
22
...
60 to 85 [415 to 585]
30 [205]
...
18
45B
40C
A
See Specification A20/A20M, elongation adjustments.
Measured on round test specimens.
C
Measured on flat specimen.
B
TABLE 3 Tensile Requirements for Class 2 PlatesA
Tensile strength, ksi [MPa]
Yield strength, min, ksi [MPa]/(0.2 % offset)
Elongation in 8 in. [200 mm], min, %B
Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], min, %B
Reduction of area, min, %
Grade 2
Grade 11
Grade 12
Grades 22, 21, 5, 9
Grade 91
70 to 90
[485 to 620]
45 [310]
18
22
...
75 to 100
[515 to 690]
45 [310]
18
22
...
65 to 85
[450 to 585]
40 [275]
19
22
...
75 to 100
[515 to 690]
45 [310]
...
18
45C
40D
85 to 110
[585 to 760]
60 [415]
...
18
...
A
Not applicable to annealed material.
See Specification A20/A20M, elongation adjustments.
Measured on round test specimens.
D
Measured on flat specimen.
B
C
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
Supplementary requirements shall not apply unless specified in the order. A list of standardized
supplementary requirements for use at the option of the purchaser is included in Specification
A20/A20M. Several of those considered suitable for use with this specification are listed below by
title. Other tests may be performed by agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
S1. Vacuum Treatment,
S2. Product Analysis,
S3. Simulated Post-Weld Heat Treatment of Mechanical
Test Coupons,
S4.1 Additional Tension Test,
S5. Charpy V-Notch Impact Test,
S6. Drop Weight Test (for Material 0.625 in. [16 mm] and
over in Thickness),
S7. High-Temperature Tension Test,
S8. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specification A435/A435M,
S9. Magnetic Particle Examination,
S11. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specification A577/A577M,
S12. Ultrasonic Examination in accordance with Specification A578/A578M, and
S17. Vacuum Carbon-Deoxidized Steel.
FIG. S1.1 Transition Temperature Curves Before and After Step
Cool Heat Treatment
4
A387/A387M − 17a
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
In addition, the following supplementary requirements are suitable for this application. S62 and S63
are applicable for Grades 22 and 21 only.
S63.1.2 The test specimens for one transition temperature
curve shall be given the minimum post weld heat treatment
(PWHT) cycle specified by the purchaser.
S63.2 The test specimens for the other transition temperature curve shall be given the PWHT cycle specified in S63.1.2
plus the following step cooling heat treatment:
Hold at 1100°F (593°C) for 1 h, then cool at 10°F (5.6°C)/h
to 1000°F (538°C).
Hold at 1000°F (538°C) for 15 h, then cool at 10°F (5.6°C)/h
to 975°F (524°C).
Hold at 975°F (524°C) for 24 h, then cool at 10°F (5.6°C)/h
to 925°F (496°C).
Hold at 925°F (496°C) for 60 h, then cool at 5°F (2.8°C)/h
to 875°F (468°C).
Hold at 875°F (468°C) for 100 h, then cool at 50°F
(27.8°C)/h to 600°F (315°C).
Cool in still air.
S63.3 Test the Charpy V-notch test specimens in accordance
with Test Methods and Definitions A370 to determine the 40
ft-lbs (55 J) transition temperature from each transition temperature curve using a set of three test specimens at each test
temperature. The test temperatures shall include tests on the
upper and lower shelves and a minimum of four intermediate
temperatures.
S63.4 The following requirements shall be met.
S53. Alternative Location for Mechanical Testing
When specified by the purchaser, the axis of the tensile and
impact test specimens shall come from the mid-thickness of
each plate tested, in lieu of midway between the center
thickness and the top or bottom surface of the plate.
S60. Restricted Carbon
S60.1 The maximum carbon content of Grade 5 shall be
0.10 %.
S62. Temper Embrittlement Factor
S62.1 The composition of the steel, based on heat analysis,
shall be restricted in accordance with the following equations:
J 5 ~ Si1Mn! 3 ~ P1Sn! 3 104 # 150 ~ Si, Mn, P and Sn in wt % !
Cu # 0.20%
Ni # 0.30%
S62.1.1 Lower values of J, Cu, and Ni can be specified by
agreement between purchaser and the supplier.
S62.1.2 When so specified by the purchaser, the maximum
value of J shall not exceed 100.
S62.1.3 The values of J shall be reported.
S62.1.4 If the plates are repaired by welding, the composition of the weld deposit shall be restricted in accordance with
the following equations:
vTr4012.5∆vTr40 # 50°F
vTr5512.5∆vTr55 # 10°C
X 5 ~ 10P15Sb14Sn1As! /100 # 15 ~ P, Sb, Sn and As in ppm!
where:
vTr40 (vTr55)
Cu # 0.20%
= the 40 ft-lbs (55 J) transition temperature of the material subjected to the
minimum PWHT specified by the purchaser.
∆vTr40 (∆vTr55) = the shift of the 40 ft-lbs (55 J) transition
temperature the of the step cooled material. (The 40 ft-lbs (55 J) transition
temperature the of the step cooled material minus that of the material subjected to the minimum PWHT only).
S63.5 The 40 ft-lbs (55 J) transition temperatures for the
two material conditions shall be reported.
Ni # 0.30%
S62.1.5 The values of X shall be reported.
S63. Impact Properties After Step Cooling
S63.1 The Charpy V-notch impact properties shall be determined as follows:
S63.1.1 A sufficient amount of Charpy V-notch test specimens shall be taken from the same location from a plate from
each heat of steel to construct two transition temperature
curves.
5
A387/A387M − 17a
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A387/A387M – 17) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Nov. 1, 2017.)
(5) Revised Section 10 to include marking of types for Grade
91.
(6) Revised Section 11 to include the keywords elevated
temperature and creep resistance.
(7) Removed Supplementary Requirement S76 (and S76.1);
this information is now included in Table 1 as Grade 91, Type
2.
(1) Revised 1.2 and 1.3 to remove reference to 21L and 22L.
(2) Revised Table 1 to rename Grade 91 as Grade 91, Type 1,
and to add Grade 91, Type 2, reflecting restricted composition;
and to remove Grades 21L and 22L.
(3) Revised Table 1 to include information on niobium in the
table and the accompanying table footnote.
(4) Revised Table 2 to remove Grades 21L and 22L.
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A387/A387M – 11) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved March 15, 2017.)
(1) Added Supplementary Requirement S76.
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6